Apparatus and method for shaping hose

Abstract

A shaped hose assembly includes a length of hose having an external surface and a hose form including a non-continuous, generally curved wall that extends around the circumference of the external surface of the hose. The wall includes a first axially extending end and a second axially extending end. The hose form also includes at least one bend of predetermined radius. A method for shaping hose is also provided.

1. A shaped hose assembly, comprising:
 a length of hose having an external surface; and 
 a hose form including a non-continuous, generally curved wall that extends around the circumference of the external surface of the hose, a single retainer portion extending from the curved wall, and at least one bend of predetermined radius, wherein the single retainer portion radially retains at least a portion of the hose within the single retainer portion, wherein the hose form includes at least two bends of predetermined radius, and wherein said curved wall extends in a generally continuous radial orientation relative to the axis of the hose assembly along an axial length of said hose form. 
 
   
   
     2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the generally curved, non-continuous wall extends greater than half-way around the circumference of the external surface of the hose. 
   
   
     3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the generally curved, non-continuous wall includes a first axially extending end and a second axially extending end, wherein a gap between the first and second ends is less than a diameter of the external surface of the hose. 
   
   
     4. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second axially extending ends are positioned between an inner edge and an outer edge of the bend. 
   
   
     5. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer portion encircles the hose. 
   
   
     6. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer portion is positioned adjacent an end of the hose form. 
   
   
     7. A method for shaping hose, comprising:
 providing a predetermined length of hose and a predetermined length of tubing having an internal diameter larger than an external diameter of the hose; thereafter 
 placing the tubing over the hose at a desired location, wherein at least a portion of the tubing encircles the hose at a predetermined axial location along the hose; and thereafter 
 bending the tubing to impart a desired shape in the hose, wherein the step of bending the tubing includes the step of bending the tubing with a tube bender. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing a length of tubing having an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the external diameter of the hose. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing a length of tubing that is longer than a length of the desired shape. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing tubing of sufficient length to cover at least two bends in the hose. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the desired shape is defined, at least in part, by two distinct radii of curvature. 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of providing further comprises providing a generally straight length of tubing.